BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

MAY, 1829.

Memoir of the late Rev. B. DAVIES, to what denomination of Christians PASTOR OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH he should join himself; for though

AT FFYNON IN THE COUNTY
PEMBROKE.

OF

[Extracted from "Greal y Bedyddwyr" for January 1829.]

his parents were zealous members of a Baptist church, yet he himself seemed to think that infants ought to be baptized, and that the BapMR. BENJAMIN DAVIES, the tists withheld from their children fourth son of Thomas and Susan- an ordinance which belonged to nah Davies, was born March 13, them. He often told the writer, 1775, at a place called Ffynonfoida that no one ever sought for infant in the parish of Llangan, in the baptism with a stronger desire to county of Caermarthen; his parents find it than he did; indeed, he was were pious persons, both members so undecided upon the subject, of the Baptist church at Salem, in that he determined not to unite the above county. Being deeply himself to any religious denominaconcerned to train up their chil- tion, until he should obtain more dren in the fear and admonition of satisfaction respecting the ordithe Lord, they withheld no privi- nance of baptism. With a view lege from them which contributed to this, as well as of obtaining in any way to the enlightening of greater advantages for general their minds, and the forming of improvement, he entered a very their character; with this view respectable grammar school they furnished them with such education as suited their rank in life. But their son Benjamin, who from a child was of a peculiarly mild and tractable disposition, manifested an ardent desire for the acquisition of knowledge, which induced his father to allow him to pursue those studies to which he shewed so strong an attachment; consequently his earlier days, for the most part were spent at different schools, and the progress he made in learning, and the proficiency he acquired in useful knowledge was soon evident to all that knew him.

When he became the subject of religious impressions, and the desire was excited to unite with the people of God, he suffered considerable embarrassment of mind, as VOL. IV. 3d Series.

at

Glandwr, conducted by the late Rev. J. Griffiths, minister of the Independent church at that place; and here, by attending closer to the subject, considering more maturely the arguments on both sides the question, and especially by being a frequent spectator of the administration of infant baptism, he became thoroughly convinced of the futility of the practice, as wholly unscriptural, and of the propriety of believers' baptism, as enjoined in the New Testament. Soon after, he made a public profession of religion, was baptized, and received a member of the church at Salem; and though he and his esteemed tutor differed in their views on the subject of baptism, yet their mutual regard for each other suffered no diminution.

R

Mr D. was often heard to speak | temper, yet this he could manage in terms of high commendation of to the best advantage to himself Mr. G.'s abilities, both as a minis- and others; in a word, the excelter and a tutor. lencies of our friend, both as a man Whilst at Glandwr, Mr. D. ap- and a Christian, were far above plied himself very closely to his mediocrity; as he excelled the studies, and acquired a grammati- generality of men, so also he excal knowledge of the English lan-celled the generality of Christiaus. guage, and also made a consider- As to the time when Mr. D. beable progress in Latin and Greek. came the subject of religious imBy his assiduity at this time, he pressions, and the means which promade that progress in literature duced them, we cannot now speak which proved a blessing and an precisely; but it must have been honour to him through his future at an early period, for he was baplife; and so intimate was his ac- tized in 1795, the 18th year of his quaintance with the different topics age, and called by the church to of his studies, that they appeared exercise his gifts in the ministry more like the original store of his the same year; a proof of the high own mind than the acquirements of opinion which his brethren entererudition. Owing to the close-tained of his piety and talents. ness of his application, and some degree of self-neglect, his constitution was undermined, the effects of which followed him through life; and he frequently said, "I don't know which is the greatest, the loss I sustained, or the gain I acquired at Glandwr, but the fault. was with myself; if I were to have the same opportunity again I would take better care.'

His light shone bright in the morn ing of his day, and so it continued to shine brighter and brighter, until he entered the happy land where the nations of them which are saved walk in the light of the Divine glory.

Mr. D.'s experience, like that of most other christians, was subject to frequent variations. In the early part of his life, as may be inferred Mr. D.'s constitution was natu- from his diary, it assumed much rally strong, his bodily appearance of the fearful and doubtful charather weak; still he was not really racter, but for some years before so weak as he was generally thought his death, he realized a happy deto be; indeed, many were asto-gree of confidence, though not nished, judging from his emaciated wholly to his own satisfaction: appearance, that he had lived so yet oftentimes his soul seemed to long. His thinking powers were partake much of a heavenly frame, stronger than common, and were and he appeared waiting and longconsiderably expanded by early ing for fellowship with the "spirits cultivation. It may be said with of the just made perfect;" and so propriety of him, that he received he passed the time of his sojournfive talents, and gained besides ing here, "looking for and hasthem five talents more. His un- tening unto the coming of the day derstanding was quick, his imagi- of God." He was particularly sonation lively, his memory reten- licitous of maintaining an uniformity tive, and his judgment solid and of character, and his conversation correct. His disposition was seri- at all times, was 66 as becometh the ous, yet his seriousness never made gospel of Christ;" he never occahim stern nor gloomy; there was sioned grief to his friends nor ridiconsiderable warmth in his natural cule to his enemies; but the most

profane were constrained to con- the way of the Lord more perfess, "that if there was a godly fectly;" and to "make them wise man on earth, Mr. Davies of unto salvation, through the faith of Ffynon must be one." Like Enoch Jesus Christ." Though he could of old "he walked with God." not speak so strongly nor so loudly As a christian he lived, as a chris- as some, yet there was so much tian he died, and his memory is force in what he said, that it geblessed. nerally reached the conscience; and if there was no melody in his voice to tickle the ear, yet he seldom failed to satisfy the mind, and not often could the most eloquent speakers please a congregation better than Mr. Davies.

It may be safely affirmed of him that he ranked among the best ministers in the principality, and that through the whole course of his ministrations, he "watched upon himself;" and "did the work

As Mr. D. possessed such powers of mind, and was endued with a large portion of knowledge, both theological and experimental, it cannot be expected but that in him should be found the ornament and the usefulness of the minister, especially when it is remarked that the best energies of his youth were consecrated to the service of the sanctuary. His sermons were for the most part, what we conceive sermons ought to be, plain, useful, of an evangelist." and evangelical; as to their ar- Mr. Davies was ordained to the rangement, they were natural, tex-pastoral office, over the church at tual, and methodical; his method Ffynon, in 1797, being the 22d of thinking was in a great measure year of his age; the church at original, and peculiar to himself. that time was small, consisting of He possessed the skill of treating about forty members, but he was his subject with a particular de- soon favoured with strong proofs gree of accuracy, which very gene- that his labours were not in vain ; rally excited the admiration of his many had their faces turned tomost judicious hearers; and of all wards Sion, seeking for a name in the excellent preachers in the prin- the house of God, and a place cipality, perhaps none of them among his people. During the excelled Mr. D. in this respect; thirty-one years of Mr. D.'s minishe had the peculiar facility of de- terial labours at Ffynon, he bapducing the most profitable things tized 379 persons, whom he fed from his subject, while they es- with the sincere milk of the word, caped the notice of many acute happily blended with strong meat observers. The general tendency for such as were accustomed to the of his ministry was to enlighten word of righteousness. As a pasand instruct the mind in scriptural tor, he studied to shew himself an knowledge, rouse the conscience example to the flock committed to from its natural lethargy, and bring his charge; he exercised the most man to act virtuously and godly. vigilant care over his people; their He never preached as if his hearers best interest was as near his heart were all understanding, but con- as his own; they seldom assemsidered them also, as having affec-bled together on any occasion eitions; he generally addressed him-ther on sabbath or week days, self to the different classes of his without his being among them, and hearers, and his principal object whoever should be late, he was appeared to be, to "teach them sure to be in time.

His evangelical sermons, his occupying important stations as seasonable admonitions, together pastors of churches, owe in a great with his meek deportment, will be measure their respectability and long remembered by the bereaved usefulness to his instructions. church. If any minister since the Mr. D. was never many sabdays of the Apostles has possess- baths prevented from engaging in ed the qualifications recommended his beloved work, which he always by Paul in his epistles to Timothy regarded as a particular privilege, and Titus, surely the subject of especially considering that during this memoir possessed them to an the greater part of his life he was eminent degree. Mr. D.'s views much annoyed with a cough, by of the economy of human redemp- which his rest at night was distion were correct and scriptural; turbed, and frequently he was in forming his ideas of divine truths, obliged to rise out of bed for an he appeared to act strictly upon hour or two: he would often cough the maxim enjoined by the Saviour, for twelve or fifteen minutes after not to call any man master in the preaching, but strange as it may things of God. Mr. D. never ap-appear, it seldom affected him in peared as an author except in one the pulpit, though it often preventinstance, when at the request of ed him from associating with his the quarterly meeting with which he stood connected, he published "A Scriptural Catechism on all the points of the Christian Faith," which has passed through three editions in Welsh and one in English.

friends. He had the happiness of not being laid aside from his ministerial labours, but while in the midst of his usefulness he entered into the joy of his Lord; he preached twice the last sabbath of his life, and it was remarked by many of his hearers on that morning, that he delivered himself with more than

Though the health of our friend at best was but delicate, yet for thirty-two years he conducted his usual animation; but on the a large school, and in this capacity he manifested the most disinterested benevolence; his school might almost be styled a charity school, for he taught the children of the poor gratis, and many such he always had under his care: it was evident to all who knew him, that it was not the love of gain that induced him to engage in the laborious employment of schoolkeeping, but a pure desire for the welfare both temporal and spiritual, (for he never neglected his scholars' spiritual concerns) of the youth of his neighbourhood.

Young ministers also found it advantageous to spend some time with him for their general improvement, and several who are now

way to the afternoon service the messenger of death arrested him ; yet he preached and also administered the Lord's Supper for the last time. His text in the morning at Ffynon was Ezek. xxxvii. 3, 4. and in the afternoon at Glanrhyd (a branch of Ffynon,) Heb. vi. 7, 8. From that day his illness increased rapidly, and though the best medical aid was afforded him, yet he sank under it. He bore all his afflictions, for his whole life may be considered a life of affliction, with peculiar resignation; no murmuring expressions escaped his lips, but he often thanked God that it was not worse.

His last illness was extremely painful, yet he manifested much Christian fortitude under it, and

frequently expressed himself thus: | mournful procession reached Ffy"The days of thy mourning are non meeting house, Brother Ď. ended-pain and sorrow shall flee Wilcox, Cwmfelin, prayed; and away-Ò the pain! but thanks be Brother T. Williams, Salem, preachto God, it is not a pain to conti-ed from Job xix. 25, 26, 27; after nue." He could speak but little, which the remains of dear Brother and that with much difficulty. Davies were consigned to the grave, When asked if he wished to reco-opposite the pulpit, where he had ver again, “O no," said he, faint- so faithfully and for so many years ly, "I have given myself to Him, published the glad tidings of salvato live or to die." Friday morn- tion, to the inexpressible delight of ing, the day previous to his death, hundreds of attentive hearers.when his beloved partner stood by "Remember them which have had his bedside, he looked sorrowfully the rule over you, who have spoat her, and said, "Give yourself ken unto you the word of God; to the Lord, and he will care for whose faith follow, considering the About one end of their conversation." you and the children." o'clock, he said that his pain began to move, when it was intimated to him he might again recover: "No, ON THE INTRODUCTION OF PRIZES IN

THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS.

P.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine.
SIR,

not until the resurrection," was his reply. In the evening of that day a brother minister visited him, to whom he said, "I have myself prayed hundreds of times for EVERY true friend of the Denostrength to live, will you pray for mination to which we belong, must One of feel gratified with the present conme for strength to die?" the deacons of his church asked dition of its academical institutions. how he felt; he answered, "I must A fresh interest in their welfare wait the time. Keep near to one appears to have been awakened, another as a church, beware of and the many important improvepride and fashion," &c. then add- ments which they have recently ed, "I can say no more." He undergone, have placed them on spoke but little after this, but sunk higher ground than they ever ocdeeper and deeper in the swellings cupied before, and appear well of Jordan, faintly exclaiming adapted to promote the design of "Blessed, blessed!" At this time their establishment, the training up he expressed a wish to rise, and of a respectable and efficient miwhilst in the act of rising he ex-nistry. But in all attempts at pired, on Saturday morning, Au- improvement, there is danger, withgust 16, 1828, leaving a wife and out great caution, of their being two children, and a numerous carried to excess; and the introchurch, to lament their great loss. duction of prizes into those seminaries, a measure it is understood which has of late been much contemplated, affords, in the opinion of the writer, a powerful illustration of this fact. No one can for a moment suspect, that the advocates of this measure are actuated by any other motive, than a laudable desire to cultivate the growth of intellect in

On the 19th, the day of the funeral, a large concourse of friends and neighbours assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to one whom they so highly regarded. Brother T. Jones, of Rhydwylim, delivered an excellent address at the dwelling-house, previous to the removal of the corpse. When the